| Round Ireland trip - 5th June to 13th June 2018 then onto the
Bug Club Rally - 14th June to 18th June 2018.
Day 1 - Tuesday 5th June 2018 - Birmingham to Fishguard Wales (miles 237)
Mileage read 88702 as I left, the boot was loaded with a few spares, tools, camping gear and my cloths. Inside the Bug was just the awning for the Pod. Hooked the pod up and set off for Chris & Liz Powell's in Monmouth Wales, start time midday. Topped up the tank with a couple of passers by having a chat whilst filling, the price of petrol has gone up, now £1.31p a litre, still it only cost me £19 this time. Great run down and it wasn't long before I was in Wales, just 80 miles to another country and just another 4 miles to Chis & Liz's, who must have heard my engine as they were waiting for me as I pulled up. Unhitched the pod, put the awning in it and pulled it round into their back garden where it will stay till I get back from my trip around Ireland. A lot of catching up was done, reliving many a rally, Liz did us all a great lasagne which was very filling and after another good chin wag, I set off for Fishguard. Yet another great run and with no pod behind, the bug ran effortlessly all the way. The bug clock went through the 88888.8 miles mark, this trip, 8 being my favourite number, just one pit stop for fuel and a small diversion going. I followed a lovely orange sunset all the way west and soon I was sitting outside the ferry entry barrier, the lady at the barrier knew who I was before I had chance to show her my boarding papers, probably due to the number of wheels on my car, as I saw no other three-wheeler. Booked in a full 2 hours early, the customs loved the bug and I treated all three of them to a Bug Pen. Sean Parnaby gave me a bunch of pens and key rings to give out on route, cheers Sean. Sat in the bug writing this whilst waiting for the 11.45pm departure time, I arrive in Rosslare 4am.
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Day 2 - Wednesday 6th June 2018 - Rosslare to Dublin to Rush (miles 197) Camping 20 euro
Very hard to sleep on the ferry, seats were not made for lying down, rested my eyes, which would have to do. Pulled in at 4am and joined the N11 north, it was dark and cold and in places misty. I headed towards Sandyford to meet up with fellow bug owner Brendan McCoy. I watched the sunrise as I went north, the sky was again a lovely tint of orange, must be an omen. After two hours driving I realised I was going to be way too early as I said I would meet up with Brendan around midday. So, at 6am I went to the seaside and had some cereal. Found Brendan’s drive and parked my bug up next to his e-type Jag which was under a cover, it was 7.45am sunny and warm when I arrived, with all the cottage curtains closed, I decided to get some shut eye in the bug as I was cream crackered. An hour later the postman woke me up and thought I was in Brendan’s bug, until I explained who I was. I gave it another 45 minutes and knocked the door, his mom Betty was up and invited me in, Brendan soon followed and kindly made me some toast and tea. A good chat and then we took some photos of our bugs on his front lawn with the city of Dublin in the background. Brendan was going to drive his bug with me following, up to a view point overlooking the city, after a very short drive we were back at his house, his bug had a fuel problem and was spluttering. So, he parked his up and we went in my bug. Had a great drive up to that view point and then onto a cafe where he treated me to some lunch. It was soon 2pm and Brendan had some work to do and as he was going in my direction I followed him onto the toll motorway M50 that goes around Dublin, we split up after a few miles, with me needing to go North, past Dublin Airport and onto a campsite at Rush. Set my tent up, then I had a call from a Marston Green tennis mate of mine John McIntyre, who lives in Skerries just 4 miles from Rush. Met up with John in Skerries, had a good chat and a drink at his local Pub that looked out over the Skerries bay. Said goodbye to John around 7pm, as it was time to pick up my eldest son Trevor from Dublin Airport, his plane lands at 8pm. To me anyway, no hassle finding him, and we made our way back to the campsite.
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Trev - Day 1 for me Day 2 for dad.
It's 5pm, the taxi has arrived and it’s time to head to the airport. Where is this woman going I thought as she made her way down the back streets? Low and behold, 5 minutes later and I was there, straight through check-in and through to the holding pen. Southampton Airport is a small airport with not much going on, there's a Costa, a Smith's and the smallest duty free you'll ever see. Flights finish at 9pm and there's only 6 more departures today, all with FlyBe to far flung destinations such as Newcastle, Leeds and Aberdeen. FlyBe is known locally as FlyMayBe due to the number of cancellations and late departures. Thankfully my flight is on time today, possibly due to the all-female crew who completed boarding within a nifty 10 minutes and the inflight safety demonstration as we rolled down the runway. They must be keen to get to Dublin before the shops close.
Our small propeller plane landed 10 minutes ahead of schedule at Dublin, and the passport control check for EU citizens was quick and simple, unlike those arriving from outside the EU whom may just have to camp there the night. Thank god we're part of the EU, oh, wait, well for now anyway.
I enter the arrival terminal looking like a little lost puppy. Where is he I wondered? Is he even at the right airport? Perhaps his car has been impounded! Fashionably late as usual (you can see where I get it from), he arrives and parks up in one of the many carparks. After a short game of 'where's the bright orange little car' I found him, and we headed to the campsite, past the remains of an old catholic church, though some pretty little villages and past countless bars and pubs. As always everyone stops to stare at the strange little car. I'm still not quite sure whether they think it's rather cool or whether their smiles are a sign of pity. Either way, I'm sure there will be hundreds of people speaking about the strange little vehicle this evening.
We arrive at a small gated campsite overlooking a beautiful secluded section of sandy coastline. I'm writing this whilst watching the sunset over the Irish Sea, boy did the old man choose well! Pretty much the only thing that is missing at the moment is a pint of Guinness, let's see what tomorrow brings!
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By Rory Lynas
25-06-2018 |
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